# GQ JAPAN Special vs Begin

The clearest difference is monetization model: GQ JAPAN Special at free with in-app purchases against Begin's subscription. Begin's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (25% vs 10%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GQ JAPAN Special sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $15.99 per 6 months and Begin sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

GQ JAPAN Special ships an update every 5 months, Begin every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GQ JAPAN Special | Begin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gq-japan-special/id504228335/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews | **25.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 5 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Condé Nast Japan](https://appshunter.io/developer/370553806) | [DENTSU INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/326362308) |

## What reviewers say

### GQ JAPAN Special

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gq-japan-special/id504228335)

This digital magazine offers a curated selection of articles and features for discerning men interested in lifestyle, fashion, and culture. Access premium content through single issue purchases or convenient subscription plans.

**Highlights:** Digital magazine subscription, Single issue purchases, Lifestyle and fashion content, International fashion magazine, Automatic renewal options, Content requires paid access

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 定期購読6ヶ月 | $15.99 | per 6 months |
| 定期購読1年 | $26.49 | per year |
| GQ October 2012 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ December 2012 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ January 2013 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ February 2013 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ JAPAN January 2014 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ JAPAN March 2014 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ JAPAN February 2015 | $3.99 | one-time |
| GQ JAPAN March 2016 | $3.99 | one-time |


### Begin

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/begin/id519978352)

Discover high-sensitivity goods and fashion for discerning men. This magazine showcases valuable items, from classics to new releases, explaining their appeal with real-life styling and usage examples. Find unique items to elevate your style.

**Highlights:** Curated item showcases, Styling and usage examples, Focus on valuable goods, Latest and classic items, Unique item recommendations

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Begin | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GQ JAPAN Special free?

GQ JAPAN Special is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Begin free?

Begin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do GQ JAPAN Special or Begin have ads?

GQ JAPAN Special shows ads; Begin does not.

### Which is updated more often, GQ JAPAN Special or Begin?

GQ JAPAN Special ships an update every 5 months, and Begin every 7 months. Most recently, GQ JAPAN Special was updated on October 23, 2026 and Begin on October 26, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*